Overview
- Christian Michel’s petition was dismissed on Wednesday by a Delhi High Court bench that said it found no merit in his challenge to the India–UAE extradition treaty and his plea for release.
- The court’s view keeps an IPC Section 467 forgery count on the table, which blocks statutory release under Section 436A because that provision does not cover offences punishable with life imprisonment.
- The CBI and ED told the court the treaty’s Article 17 allows trial for offences connected to those cited at extradition, and judges accepted that the exact charges can be settled at the charge‑framing stage.
- Michel remains in custody despite bail orders in 2025 because he has not met the terms, and the court directed that his new passport be held by the trial court and that the FRRO stop any attempt to leave India.
- The case stems from the 2010 VVIP helicopter deal, with the CBI alleging a loss of about €398.21 million to the exchequer and the ED alleging Michel took €30 million, with a detailed order in this matter still awaited.